PITTSBURGH - An Allegheny County resident pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Latisha Butler, 29, of Penn Hills, Pa., pleaded guilty to one count before Senior United States District Judge Donetta W. Ambrose.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on or about May 14, 2018, Butler, an individual with a prior felony conviction for Possession with the Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances, did knowingly and unlawfully possess a Smith & Wesson Model M&P-15 Rifle, a Smith & Wesson, Model SD9VE handgun, a Diamondback Model DB9 Handgun, and various types of ammunition. Federal law prohibits anyone who has been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year from possessing a firearm or ammunition..
Judge Ambrose scheduled sentencing for Dec. 18, 2019 at 10 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of not more than 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The United States Department of Homeland Security, United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Butler. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also provided assistance to the investigators.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
